The CMA CGM Group has formalized its dedication to advancing Kenya’s logistics and port infrastructure through a significant high-level framework agreement for joint cooperation with Kenyan institutional authorities. This initiative is strategically designed to expedite the development of solutions that will fuel the expansion of supply chain flows, both entering and exiting East and Central Africa. The scope of this collaboration encompasses a broad range of critical areas, including the acceleration of maritime demand, enhancement of inland logistics networks, and optimized freight management.
This pivotal agreement to develop Kenya’s logistics and port infrastructure was officially inked during the prestigious Africa Forward Summit. The ceremony was notably graced by the presence of the Presidents of the French and Kenyan Republics, Emmanuel Macron and William Ruto, underscoring the international significance of this partnership.
CMA CGM’s enduring presence in Kenya, dating back to 2005, has established it as a cornerstone of the nation’s logistics ecosystem. The company plays a crucial role in connecting the vital port of Mombasa and the emerging port of Lamu to global trade routes. Furthermore, CMA CGM actively supports and develops inland corridors that are essential for efficient trade across East Africa.
With over five decades of operational history on the African continent, the CMA CGM Group is steadfast in its long-term development strategy of Kenya’s logistics and port infrastructure. This strategy is anchored in several key pillars: securing and enhancing port and inland capacities, fostering the development of robust regional hubs, integrating comprehensive logistics solutions, and actively driving the decarbonization of transport chains. This commitment extends across the continent, aiming to elevate African port capacity and facilitate seamless supply chain growth.
Across Africa, CMA CGM is actively involved in the operation and expansion of nine container terminals. Through substantial investments, the Group is meticulously building a sophisticated network of high-performance maritime and land hubs. These hubs are engineered to ensure the security of trade flows, dramatically improve connectivity between various regions, and champion sustainable economic advancement throughout Africa. This strategic expansion of African port capacity is central to their vision.
In Cameroon, the Kribi Container Terminal, where CMA CGM holds a substantial stake alongside AGL, continues to solidify its position as a critical regional hub. Recent enhancements to the terminal yard have boosted its capacity, preparing it to handle increasing cargo volumes from across the sub-region. Plans for further development phases are under consideration to meet future demands, further supporting supply chain growth.
Nigeria’s Lekki Deep Sea Port, managed by CMA Terminals with the involvement of CHEC, represents a core element of the Group’s strategic vision for the Gulf of Guinea. With a rapidly expanding capacity and continuous investments in equipment and infrastructure, this terminal is emerging as a primary gateway for West Africa. Complementing this, the Group is spearheading a 100% electric river barge project designed to link the Lekki terminal with inland dry ports in Lagos. This forward-thinking initiative is set to significantly reduce CO₂ emissions, improve the efficiency of urban logistics, and enhance the overall attractiveness of the Lekki terminal by catering to the growing customer demand for low-carbon logistics solutions.
In the Republic of Congo, the development of a new deep-water terminal in Pointe-Noire, a collaborative venture with AD Ports Group, is set to establish a new Atlantic hub in Central Africa. This hub is envisioned to bolster transshipment activities and facilitate regional trade flows, contributing to broader African port capacity.
On the North African Mediterranean coast, CMA CGM is reinforcing its footprint through a series of strategic projects. These include the development of the Nador West Med terminal in Morocco, which aims to enhance the country’s integration into critical East-West trade routes. Additionally, the Group is expanding container capacity at the TMT terminal in Alexandria, Egypt, in partnership with EMP, to accommodate the surging volumes of import and export traffic, as well as transshipment operations. This proactive approach to managing maritime demand is key.
In Egypt’s North Red Sea region, CMA CGM’s participation in the Red Sea Container Terminal in Sokhna, alongside COSCO Ports and HIT, is instrumental in establishing a next-generation logistics hub. This integrated facility will seamlessly combine port operations with rail and inland connectivity, further streamlining freight management.
Beyond major port infrastructure, CMA CGM is actively fortifying the integration of comprehensive logistics solutions across Africa through its subsidiary, CEVA Logistics. This involves developing multimodal corridors that synergize maritime, rail, and road transport. The objective is to efficiently connect ports to inland markets and bolster regional supply chains, a critical component for any Kenya logistics boost.
